OUR BEST FRIENDS

Tag: bark in the park

Tillman, the California bulldog who has been recognized as the world’s fastest skateboarding canine, is visiting New York for Saturday’s “Bark in the Park” — an event where Mets fans can attend a game with their dog.

“He loves New York,” Tillman’s owner, 40-year-old Ron Davis told the Daily News as the bulldog showed off his skills in Tompkins Square Park. “There is a lot of concrete for him to do his thing.”

The four-year-old, 60-pound English bulldog — deemed the fastest skateboarding dog by the Guinness Book of World Records — set the world record in 2009 by rolling 100 meters in 19.6 seconds.

He’s named after the late NFL star and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman.

The fast-rolling bulldog will be among the canines attending the Bark in the Park game at Citi Field, in which the Mets play the Atlanta Braves.

For the event — the successor to “Dog Day at Shea” — the Mets set a limit of 500 dogs, and doggie tickets usually sell out quickly. Human tickets are $40 and doggy tickets are $10.

Profits from the sale of dog tickets and a portion of the human ticket benefit the North Shore Animal League.

With Michael Vick’s return to the NFL this week, and all the bitter and sickening emotions it evoked, I thought we could use some slightly more upbeat and dog-friendly sports news:

More than 700 dogs and their owners showed up for the Brooklyn Cyclones “Bark in the Park” Game.

The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals and the Brooklyn Cyclones hosted “Bark in the Park” on Wednesday — an event that drew more than 6,000 guests at KeySpan Park, where the Cyclones fell to the Vermont Lake Monsters.

But it was still a victory — eight dogs from Animal Care & Control of NYC and Animal Haven were successfully adopted to new homes.

In addition, many pet-owners took advantage of the low-cost microchipping services held the day of the event. “Maddie,” the 6-foot not-so-miniature schnauzer mascot for Maddie’s Fund, entertained the families and the Cyclone’s players.

“Wednesday night’s event drew more fans that brought their dogs than the previous two years, so it appears that the event is growing. We can’t wait to enhance the event next year in conjunction with the Brooklyn Cyclones’ 10th anniversary,” said Steve Gruber, communications director of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals.

The Baltimore County Humane Society’s most ambitious celebration of dogs ever is just four days away — DogFest 2008, a day-long event that will see an an anticipated 3,000 or more humans and their dogs descend on Shawan Downs in Cockeysville.

Saturday’s fest combines two former humane society events into one.

“The community is very familiar and supportive of our past events called Bark in the Park and Paws on Parade,” said Andrew Levine, DogFest coordinator. “However, these grew into such large events that we needed to expand to a larger location and merge them together.”

Bark in the Park includes games and contests for dogs, with events like “Dog Bowling,” ”Musical Sit & Stay” and contests for ”Best Kisser” and “Best Tail Wagger.”

Paws on Parade is a 1 1/8-mile course owners can walk with their dogs around the Shawan Downs track. The entry fee for the walk is $30 per person.

Also new this year is the “5K-9 Fun Run,” where owners can run a grass track with their dogs, with prizes going to those who collect the most pledge money for the run.

If that’s not enough, the eventn will also feature, Poe, the Raven’s mascot, Ravens cheerleaders and a classic car show, all included in the admission price.

“The event is really a big celebration for dogs because they bring so much happiness to their owners and families,” Levine said. “They are so loyal and dedicated to people and are considered as family members in most households.”

The festival’s purpose is to raise funds for the organziation and raise awareness. Local animal rescue groups will be on hand promoting pet adoptions.

The entrance fee, if you are not participating in the Paws on Parade Walk or 5K-9 Fun Run, is $20 per carload. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Retractable leashes are not permitted.